site.btaOn Bulgarian Navy Day, President Radev Says Black Sea Region Is Becoming Increasingly Important

104 MILITARY - NAVY - PRESIDENT

On Bulgarian Navy Day,
President Radev Says Black Sea Region
Is Becoming Increasingly Important


Varna, on the Black Sea, August 12 (BTA) - President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Rumen Radev attended a celebration of the holiday of the Bulgarian Navy and a military rank award ceremony for Class 2018 of the Naval Academy in Varna on Sunday. The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Defence, Gen. Andrei Botsev, other top brass, foreign diplomats, central and local government officials, many members of the public and sailors' relatives.

Radev said the Black Sea region, which is in the focus of many - and sometimes conflicting - geopolitical and economic interests, is becoming increasingly important. "This entails ever greater responsibilities for the Bulgarian Navy, which is tasked with defending Bulgaria's maritime sovereignty and protecting our interests and traditions as a maritime nation," he said.

Radev told the young officers that they will have to perform their tasks in a complicated environment using outdated equipment at a time of deficit of resources. He said: "Your generation has the mission to put into service and master the full potential of the new equipment which the Navy deserves and which should go into operation in the near future."

Radev urged the young officers to serve with dignity, noting that being a Bulgarian officer is not just an occupation but a great duty to the nation.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, too, greeted the officers on the 139th anniversary of the Bulgarian Navy. He said: "It is best for the Bulgarian servicepersons to take part in exercises, not in conflicts."

Noting the difficult situation in the Black Sea region, Borissov said: "Bulgarian politicians should make efforts at all levels to avert possible conflicts." He vowed that Sofia will take all possible diplomatic steps to ease the tension. "Bulgarian servicepersons are well-trained but their abilities should be used as a guarantee to deter potential conflicts - they ought to do nothing but take part in exercises and come home safe and sound," the Prime Minister said.

He recalled that the government is committed to implementing several large, costly projects for the Armed Forces which are now underway. Contracts may be signed by the end of this year, he added.

The Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Mitko Petev, said that so far this year the Bulgarian Navy has participated successfully in several NATO exercises and standing groups. He praised the organization and conduct of Exercise Breeze 2018. Petev recalled that the military have received new equipment over the last few months. The Navy will use EU funding for a mobile module for underwater intervention.

Deputy Defence Minister Anatolii Velikov wished the young officers a successful career and great opportunities.

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Emerging from the Bulgarian Navy anniversary ceremony in Varna, President Radev said the executive government is too slow and inefficient in upgrading the Navy and the Armed Forces in general. Radev said: "If last year's scenario of big promises, financial allocations and stalled projects is repeated this year, it will confirm the theory that modernization is simply an excuse to provide a budget which is eventually transformed into a surplus." LI/VE
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